Celebrate Change!

Isn’t Fall a glorious season?

Whenever the seasons make an abrupt shift, don’t you feel a certain energy in the air and a sense of urgency to make something happen, to stop waiting and start acting?

The air is crisp and even the light has a different tone. In the turning of the year, from Fall to Winter, we know that the days will be shorter soon, and outside it will be cold.

There are seasons in life as well.

In the Springtime of life we build, we grow, and we watch the fruits of our labors bud and begin. Our lives are busy with nurturing, encouraging, providing and establishing.

In the Summer, we move into the season of maturing and polishing. The fruit finds it’s place, matures and comes into it’s own. We are there to help it fall gently and in the right place.

As this season turns, we find that we are left with many things that are necessary for growth and change, are not needed anymore. A lot like the leaves on the trees and the stalks in the cornfields.

There is still a lot of time left, and much to do, but this season is exciting in a different way. It is energizing because it’s a time of discovering those things that we had to put off in the years of providing. Now we can think about travel, volunteering our time, working for a cause or reading all the books that we didn’t have time for. We can go back to school, or teach someone what we ourselves have learned.

But what about all the stuff that was collected over the previous seasons?  What of the heavy attic and bursting basement? The papers, clothing, toys, books, unfinished crafts and unneeded supplies? Why is it still weighing us down? It’s probably just been a task that has been waiting for the push of a new season. We are still mowing a huge lawn, painting unused rooms, and maintaining a home and belongings that we realize we really don’t need anymore.

Some of us will decide to downsize completely; selling the home and many of the possessions that we don’t need, to move to a place with less to maintain. Some of us will remove much of what we have collected and re-purpose our space; wanting to stay where we are, but to use the place to a more appropriate purpose.

Some of us will get stuck. We will look around and realize that the season is changing, but we will be unable to embrace the opportunity because we are too tired, too overwhelmed, or impeded by conditions that have caught up with us. Illness, age, or changes in mental health can make the task of moving on almost unthinkable, so it gets put off.

If you feel stuck, for whatever reason, know that you are not alone. You don’t have to tackle this project on your own, and it’s doesn’t have to be done tomorrow. There are so many people and resources out there to help you get started and walk you through each step of the project.

You may have friends that know you well, and can help you with visualizing what needs to be done, and then help you do the actual work. You may have family nearby that would love to help and are excited about the next phase of your life. If you don’t feel comfortable asking friends or family to help, for whatever reason, there are other resources that you can turn to for help.